As he had not the slightest notion of the blood-curdling quality of his wild yells, he could not then know the unspeakable terror they brought to the two huddled together in the cave. Worn out with anxiety, pain and fatigue, Ruth had finally dropped into fitful slumber, her head on Blanche’s lap. Wide-awake, Blanche had heard them first, the intervening barrier of rock deadening them just enough to make them sound like nothing human. In her fright she attributed them to some prowling wild animal, a wolf, or perhaps a panther, she shudderingly guessed, as she listened. To Ruth, they came dimly as part of a fevered dream. The touch of her companion’s hand on her shoulder, accompanied by a whispered, “There’s a wild animal outside the cave!” woke her to their reality, her drowsy faculties becoming alert just too late. By the time she was wide enough awake to judge them, the yells had ceased.
“Are you sure it wasn’t a human voice?” she questioned anxiously. “Why didn’t you wake me when it commenced? I must have heard them in my sleep, for I was dreaming something about hearing someone call.”
“I thought it would be best if you didn’t hear it,” faltered Blanche. “I wanted to save you as much as I could, but I got so scared I couldn’t stand it. I knew whatever animal it was, it couldn’t get in here, but—Oh, Ruth, do you suppose we’ll ever be found?”
“Yes, I think so.” Though she tried to reply heartily, Ruth’s answer was faintly lacking in assurance. “Blanche,” she continued softly, “I want to tell you that you’ve been the bravest girl ever since all this happened. You’ve shown yourself to be a Camp Fire Girl in every way. When we do get out of here, there will be a lot of honors waiting for you.”
“I don’t deserve them,” Blanche answered very humbly. “Think how hateful I’ve been to you, and of how I brought all this trouble on you! I’m not worthy to be a Camp Fire Girl. But there is one thing I’m going to do if I—if we—are found. I’m going to ask Miss Drexal to call a Council Fire. Then I’m going to stand up, and confess how deceitful I’ve been and how splendid you’ve been!”
“Never!” Ruth’s protest rang out sharply. “What’s past is past. Somehow, I don’t believe either Miss Drexal or the girls would feel that you owed it to them to do that. After all, it’s between you and me. Let’s keep it so.”
“I shall tell my mother.” Blanche was bent on expiation. “I never told you, but I broke my engagement right after what happened at the Heights.”
“Yes, you ought to tell your mother. I’m glad you feel that you wish to. I am glad, too, about the other. You could never have been happy to go on with it without your mother’s approval. Now promise me that you won’t ask Miss Drexal to call that Council Fire.”
“All right, I won’t, but only because you ask me. I’ll try to make up for my faults in other ways. Will you help me, Ruth, and forgive me, and be my friend for always?”
“For ever and always.” In the dark Ruth’s hand sought Blanche’s and found it. A moment of sweet silence ensued.